How Mobile Technology Is Changing the Workplace

Until very recently, business computing meant a desktop PC or, if you spent time on the road, a laptop. But changes in mobile technology have started to bring big changes. Thanks to the fact that a smartphone or laptop now has computing power and connectivity to match the PCs of a few years ago, it’s now possible to use mobile devices as a gateway to business systems. Many business packages such as CRM and sales administration systems now offer mobile apps as add-ons. This still requires the use of software testing services to ensure that information can be accessed and records properly updated to reduce potential conflicts.

Many people now use a mobile as their main way of accessing the internet. We’re becoming a ‘mobile first’ society. This naturally has an impact on business, because what people can do at home they also expect to be able to do at work.

IT managers therefore need to cope with increased demand from users for work-supplied mobiles or to implement a bring your own device (BYOD) policy. This has a significant impact in terms of how corporate data is accessed and kept secure.

Network Considerations

Networks come under stress too, as more employees use mobile devices in the office, so there’s increased demand for wireless access. This means extra access points may be needed and also requires attention to network security.

Companies may turn to the likes of Bugfinders specialist software testers to ensure that there are no issues in accessing their information on particular types of device. It also means that admins will need a wider range of knowledge than they would have required in the past to deal with additional operating systems such as Android and iOS. Android is now the most popular mobile operating system, and it’s important that IT staff understand at least the basics surrounding its security.

The other big advantage of mobile devices is that they allow people to work from anywhere. That, of course, brings its own challenges in terms of using hotspots and networks that are outside the company’s control. This may require the use of technologies such as VPN in order to ensure that commercial information isn’t exposed.